"It turns out, creativity comes in many forms"

This is a guest post by Sarah Harper, founder of Happy by Harper.

"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have."

This Maya Angelou quote sums up my journey to where I am now with Happy By Harper, my little business that aims to bring happiness to myself and others. If you had asked me a year ago, I would have said I didn't have a creative bone in my body.

But, it turns out, creativity comes in many different forms. Each one, as important and as wholesome as another.

Happy By Harper started from a not very positive place. I had poor mental health, and even tiny

things were getting the better of me.

And so it began - step by step, every little creative thing I did, I felt like more and more light was coming in. Making a couple of candles in my kitchen, after a friend suggested I give it a try. Having a go throwing pots on my Mum's pottery wheel one long weekend in Devon. Going for long walks to clear my head in London, picking wildflowers from deserted industrial land, pressing them at home and making them into cards.

These tiny things started adding up into real, pure joy. And once that journey started - I couldn't stop!

Now, Happy By Harper is what makes me get up in the morning. Making my products brings me such joy, and I hope spreads joy to those that buy them too. The other part I love is getting to meet so many new and interesting people at markets, online and through workshops.

Workshops are the real fun - bringing creativity to other people, all together, taking the time to give ourselves the gift of just being, and just enjoying. They're such a wonderful way to connect with those around you, and connect with yourself too! My face to face workshops, like my latest in March in Crystal Palace with My Community Capital, have attracted all sorts of people from different backgrounds and areas of London, both in groups, and those seeking something to do independently.

Whilst next Sunday's virtual workshop came out of a place of necessity - since we couldn't have a face to face workshop in the current climate - I'm so looking forward to connecting with people who wouldn't ordinarily have been able to make it to a London workshop. I can't wait to see what wonders everyone creates!

And for those of you reading this who can't make it on Sunday - I hope to see meet you in person or virtually soon, and hope that reading this has made you think about creativity, and its link to wellbeing, in a different way.

Sarah Harper is the founder of ethical homeware brand Happy By Harper, making homeware to make people happy!

Sarah makes eco-friendly soy candles, pottery and wildflower cards, all handmade in South East London, and also runs workshops to share her skills. Shortly before face to face social activities ceased due to the coronavirus outbreak, Sarah ran a workshop for My Community Capital at the Paxton Centre in Crystal Palace.

We are so pleased to be working with her again as our craft expert for knack's first craft subscription box and live stream workshop, taking place on 17th May.

You can see more and stay up to date by following Happy By Harper on Facebook and Instagram, and purchase her beautiful handmade products on her Etsy page.